What Does the Little Checkbox Mean on LinkedIn?

The little checkbox on LinkedIn messages shows whether your message was sent, delivered, or read. A gray check means the message was sent. A blue check means it was delivered. A tiny profile picture means it was read—if the recipient has read receipts turned on. This article explains what each of these indicators means, how they work, and how to manage them on your own LinkedIn account.

Gray Check Mark on LinkedIn

When you see a gray check mark next to your message, it means the message has been sent from your side. LinkedIn’s server has received it, and it’s on its way to the recipient. This doesn’t confirm if the recipient has received it on their device or seen it. It only confirms the message has left your device and is now stored on LinkedIn.

Blue Check Mark on LinkedIn

If the gray check mark turns blue, that means the message has been delivered to the recipient’s inbox. This is similar to messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. But note — delivered doesn’t mean read.

Profile Picture Next to Message

If your recipient has read receipts enabled, and they’ve opened the message, you’ll see their tiny profile picture right next to your message. That means they’ve read it. If the profile photo doesn’t show, it means either the message hasn’t been opened, or they’ve turned read receipts off.

Read Receipts on LinkedIn: What You Need to Know

LinkedIn offers optional read receipts and typing indicators in private messages. This feature works only if both users have it turned on. If either you or the recipient has disabled it, you won’t see the profile photo even if the message is read. To manage this setting:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile
2. Click on “Settings & Privacy”
3. Navigate to the “Communications” tab
4. Under “Messaging experience,” toggle the option for “Read receipts and typing indicators”

Once turned off, you won’t be able to see if others have read your messages either.

What If You Don’t See Any Indicator?

If you don’t see any checkmark or image, it likely means the message hasn’t yet been sent or something went wrong with your internet connection. Try refreshing the page or checking your connection. Sometimes, LinkedIn messages may not update immediately—especially if you’re on mobile or using poor connectivity.

Why These Message Indicators Matter

Understanding what these message status indicators mean helps you manage communication better. For example:

• You’ll know if your follow-up is too early
• You’ll avoid assuming someone is ignoring you
• You’ll save time by identifying delivery issues

It’s also helpful in business networking, job outreach, or cold messaging—where timing and clarity matter.

How This Connects to Business Communication

Understanding LinkedIn’s messaging system can improve your communication style—especially if you’re in sales, hiring, or networking. If you want to take this further and learn how AI tools are enhancing communication in business, check out this Deep Tech Certification. It helps professionals use emerging tools to improve workflow and engagement. You can also explore this Marketing and Business Certification if you’re focused on outreach, messaging, and social platform strategies. Or learn how data drives communication with the Data Science Certification.

Conclusion

That small checkbox on LinkedIn might look insignificant, but it tells you a lot. A gray check means the message is sent. A blue one confirms it’s delivered. A profile photo shows it’s read. These tiny signals help you manage your follow-ups, track your outreach, and avoid unnecessary guesswork. Just remember: for the profile icon to show, both sides need to have read receipts turned on. Mastering these little details makes a big difference in how you connect and communicate on LinkedIn.